Hellenic Orthodox Mission

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The Orthodox Messenger

The Weekly Newsletter of the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County
Vol. I, No. 14– Sunday, April 21, 2002

RADICAL CHANGE
On the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, our Orthodox Church presents us with the story of a prostitute named Mary from Alexandria, Egypt, during the early centuries of the Christian Church. On an impulse, she joined a group of pilgrims on a ship going to the Holy Land. The first place they visited was the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem on the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross. But as one of the hymns for the day says, "The pollution of past sins prevented thee from entering the church to see the Elevation of the Holy Cross." It was as though a hand pushed against her, keeping her out of the Church, as all the other pilgrims streamed in.
At that moment there was a radical change in her. One hymn describes it as an instantaneous reversal of all she was until that moment: "Casting aside her weakness, bravely she opposed the devil." Hers was an immediate and total " renewal of her mind." In principle, everything changed in that radical moment. She left her old life and turned to a new life in Christ. With her repentance, she began a life-long period of ascetic discipline in the desert beyond the Jordan River. Having turned to "a better way of life," one of the hymns addresses her, "thou hast received saving grace for the journey of virtue and with all haste thou hast set out upon the good path."
St. Mary of Egypt provides a dramatic and powerful example for each of us, regarding repentance and the need for a change of long-standing habits that have become barriers to our spiritual growth. She provokes us to self-examination.
Reflecting on the life of St. Mary of Egypt, each of us may need to make a "radical change" somewhere in our lives. But also, with St. Mary, we also are called to "the journey of virtue" that follows it.
Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. - Evening Services as announced.
5th Sunday of Lent: St. Mary of Egypt – Plagal 1st Tone – Liturgy of St. Basil
Saints: St. Mary of Egypt; Holymartyr Januarios (+305); Righteous Maximos and Anastasios of Sinai (+685); Righteous Theodore, Martyred in Perga of Pamphylia (+138); Alexandra, Martyr (Wife of Emperor Diocletian) (+303)

EPISTLE – Hebrews 9:11-14
Brethren, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

GOSPEL – Mark 10:32-45
At that time, Jesus taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS
Dismissal Hymn – Plagal 1st Tone, Divine Liturgy Hymnal, p. 85-86.
(Sing in Greek) (“Ton synanarchon Logon”) before the Gospel Entrance.
(Sing in English) (The Eternal Word) after the Gospel Entrance
Hymn of St. Mary of Egypt
(Read) Through you the divine likeness was securely preserved, O Mother Mary of Egypt; for you carried the cross and followed Christ. By example and precept you taught us to ignore the body because it is perishable, and to attend to the concern of the undying soul. Therefore, your soul rejoices with the angels.
Hymn of St. Nicholas - Divine Liturgy Hymnal, pp. 110-111.
(Sing in English) "An example of the Faith and a life of humility. . ."
The Kontakion - Divine Liturgy Hymnal, pp. 98-99
(Sing in Greek) (“Tee Eepermacho . . .)

ANNOUNCEMENTS
STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: Fran Mather – Apr. 21; Connie Mourgides Apr. 28 (Palm Sunday); Helen Nicolelis – May 2 (Holy Thursday); George Nikas – May 4 (Holy Saturday); Fran Triantafilon – May 5 (Pascha). Gloria Vardakis – May 12; Venice Cosmadelis – May 19; Bette Ferriero – May 26. Prosforon Coordinator is George Nikas (597-1375).

PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.): “Church History: The Work of the Apostles.” Friday, April 26. Join Us! Starts at 2:00 p.m. Coffee and refreshments served.
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: http://worship.nu/hellenicorthodoxmission/index.htm .
FLOWERS FOR SALUTATIONS ICON: Many thanks to Fr. Stanley and Presbytera Emily Harakas for donating the wreath for the icon of the Theotokos at the Salutations this past week, April 19 in memory of their daughter Katherine Harakas DeFilippo.
PALM SUNDAY FISH DINNER: Our annual FISH DINNER will be held immedi- ately following Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday, April 28. The price will be $6. Bring friends and relatives. Let Venice Cosmadelis (686-1199) know the numbers so proper arrangements can be made. Mark your calendar.
HOSPITALIZED at Spring Hill Regional, Robert McGraw. We pray for his rapid recovery. Inform Fr. Harakas of hospitalizations.

COOKBOOKS: Information about cookbooks was passed out at the GeneralAssembly by the Parish Council Fundraising / Sales Committee. Please return your order forms with your check to Cathy Lemonedes. For more forms call Cathy at 684-4082.

HOLY CONFESSION: Saturday, April 20, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

HELP START OUR NEW PARISH LIBRARY AND BOOKSTORE! The Library/ Bookstore Committee has been formed. The members are Venice Cosmadelis, Theona Hatzi, and Harriet Pasisis. If you would like to join the committee, contact Fr. Stanley at 688-2382. The organizational meeting will be held after Pascha.

AN OFFERING FOR THE “HOLY MYRON” was made last Sunday to help defray the expenses of the vast amount of aromatic oils needed for the consecration which will be held this coming Holy Thursday at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. This “Holy Chrism” conveys the grace of the Holy Spirit to those who are Baptized and used for the reception of converts to the Church. It is also used for the consecration of church buildings. The proceeds will be taken by His Grace, Bishop Alexios of Atlanta, to Constantinople. He will be participating in the service of consecration.

HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION
OF HERNANDO COUNTY
P.O. BOX 5566
SPRING HILL, FL 34611
“A Pan-Orthodox Community”

Meeting at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville. Florida

Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta

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Contents		The Orthodox Messenger The Weekly Newsletter of the Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County Vol. I, No. 14– Sunday, April 21, 2002 Hellenic Orthodox Mission of Hernando County “A Pan-Orthodox Community” Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta Meeting at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville, FL - (352) 796-8482 The Hellenic Orthodox Mission Website: http://worship.nu/hellenicorthodoxmission/index.htm FR. STANLEY S. HARAKAS, PROTOPRESBYTER - (352) 688-2382 (Afternoons and Evenings) RADICAL CHANGE On the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, our Orthodox Church presents us with the story of a prostitute named Mary from Alexandria, Egypt, during the early centuries of the Christian Church. On an impulse, she joined a group of pilgrims on a ship going to the Holy Land. The first place they visited was the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem on the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross. But as one of the hymns for the day says, "The pollution of past sins prevented thee from entering the church to see the Elevation of the Holy Cross." It was as though a hand pushed against her, keeping her out of the Church, as all the other pilgrims streamed in. At that moment there was a radical change in her. One hymn describes it as an instantaneous reversal of all she was until that moment: "Casting aside her weakness, bravely she opposed the devil." Hers was an immediate and total " renewal of her mind." In principle, everything changed in that radical moment. She left her old life and turned to a new life in Christ. With her repentance, she began a life-long period of ascetic discipline in the desert beyond the Jordan River. Having turned to "a better way of life," one of the hymns addresses her, "thou hast received saving grace for the journey of virtue and with all haste thou hast set out upon the good path." St. Mary of Egypt provides a dramatic and powerful example for each of us, regarding repentance and the need for a change of long-standing habits that have become barriers to our spiritual growth. She provokes us to self-examination. Reflecting on the life of St. Mary of Egypt, each of us may need to make a "radical change" somewhere in our lives. But also, with St. Mary, we also are called to "the journey of virtue" that follows it. Service Hours: Sundays and Feast days: Orthros at 9:30 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. - Evening Services as announced. 5th Sunday of Lent: St. Mary of Egypt – Plagal 1st Tone – Liturgy of St. Basil Saints: St. Mary of Egypt; Holymartyr Januarios (+305); Righteous Maximos and Anastasios of Sinai (+685); Righteous Theodore, Martyred in Perga of Pamphylia (+138); Alexandra, Martyr (Wife of Emperor Diocletian) (+303) EPISTLE – Hebrews 9:11-14 Brethren, when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. GOSPEL – Mark 10:32-45 At that time, Jesus taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise." And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him, and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." GOSPEL ENTRANCE HYMNS Dismissal Hymn – Plagal 1st Tone, Divine Liturgy Hymnal, p. 85-86. (Sing in Greek) (“Ton synanarchon Logon”) before the Gospel Entrance. (Sing in English) (The Eternal Word) after the Gospel Entrance Hymn of St. Mary of Egypt (Read) Through you the divine likeness was securely preserved, O Mother Mary of Egypt; for you carried the cross and followed Christ. By example and precept you taught us to ignore the body because it is perishable, and to attend to the concern of the undying soul. Therefore, your soul rejoices with the angels. Hymn of St. Nicholas - Divine Liturgy Hymnal, pp. 110-111. (Sing in English) "An example of the Faith and a life of humility. . ." *The Kontakion - Divine Liturgy Hymnal, pp. 98-99* (Sing in Greek) (“Tee Eepermacho . . .) ANNOUNCEMENTS STEWARDS OF PROSFORON BAKING: Fran Mather – Apr. 21; Connie Mourgides Apr. 28 (Palm Sunday); Helen Nicolelis – May 2 (Holy Thursday); George Nikas – May 4 (Holy Saturday); Fran Triantafilon – May 5 (Pascha). Gloria Vardakis – May 12; Venice Cosmadelis – May 19; Bette Ferriero – May 26. Prosforon Coordinator is George Nikas (597-1375). PARISH EDUCATION PROGRAM (P.E.P.): “Church History: The Work of the Apostles.” Friday, April 26. Join Us! Starts at 2:00 p.m. Coffee and refreshments served. CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: http://worship.nu/hellenicorthodoxmission/index.htm . FLOWERS FOR SALUTATIONS ICON: Many thanks to Fr. Stanley and Presbytera Emily Harakas for donating the wreath for the icon of the Theotokos at the Salutations this past week, April 19 in memory of their daughter Katherine Harakas DeFilippo. PALM SUNDAY FISH DINNER: Our annual FISH DINNER will be held immedi- ately following Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday, April 28. The price will be $6. Bring friends and relatives. Let Venice Cosmadelis (686-1199) know the numbers so proper arrangements can be made. Mark your calendar. HOSPITALIZED at Spring Hill Regional, Robert McGraw. We pray for his rapid recovery. Inform Fr. Harakas of hospitalizations. COOKBOOKS: Information about cookbooks was passed out at the GeneralAssembly by the Parish Council Fundraising / Sales Committee. Please return your order forms with your check to Cathy Lemonedes. For more forms call Cathy at 684-4082. HOLY CONFESSION: Saturday, April 20, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. HELP START OUR NEW PARISH LIBRARY AND BOOKSTORE! The Library/ Bookstore Committee has been formed. The members are Venice Cosmadelis, Theona Hatzi, and Harriet Pasisis. If you would like to join the committee, contact Fr. Stanley at 688-2382. The organizational meeting will be held after Pascha. AN OFFERING FOR THE “HOLY MYRON” was made last Sunday to help defray the expenses of the vast amount of aromatic oils needed for the consecration which will be held this coming Holy Thursday at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. This “Holy Chrism” conveys the grace of the Holy Spirit to those who are Baptized and used for the reception of converts to the Church. It is also used for the consecration of church buildings. The proceeds will be taken by His Grace, Bishop Alexios of Atlanta, to Constantinople. He will be participating in the service of consecration. THIS WEEK’S SPONSOR: In Memory of Friend Georgiana Vallas (+ 2002) By Kay Gregerson HELLENIC ORTHODOX MISSION OF HERNANDO COUNTY P.O. BOX 5566 SPRING HILL, FL 34611 “A Pan-Orthodox Community”
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	Meeting at St. Nicholas Chapel, 13460 Olympic Village Lane, Brooksville. Florida Ecumenical Patriarchate + Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America + Diocese of Atlanta HOME